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| © UNICEF/ NYHQ2010-2763/Asselin |
| Polio vaccine vials are readied for distribution to vaccination teams at a health centre in Pointe-Noire, Democratic Republic of Congo. |
As the world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF is uniquely suited to procure sufficient quantities of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to ensure adequate supplies and competitive prices for national campaigns. UNICEF also supports the delivery of other immunization supplies such as vitamin A and insecticide treated nets (ITN) in conjunction with polio-related activities.
UNICEF procures almost $2 billion worth of OPV annually, securing price reductions while also ensuring vaccine security. Such security depends on guaranteed production of vaccines, multi-year allocations for vaccine financing and long-term forecasting of vaccine requirements. UNICEF, on behalf of the GPEI partners and governments, works with established and new manufacturers to maintain and increase the available supply of polio vaccine.
